UofM Faculty Cross $100M Threshold in Research Awards 

Researchers Capture $101M for FY24, Double the Amount from FY22 

September 4, 2024 — Led by a diverse community of research leaders, the University of Memphis has surpassed a key milestone in research growth for the first time, receiving more than $100 million in annual research awards.  

This progress, combined with a total research expenditure of more than $100 million, is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic capacity of the University and its role as a national research leader. 

Under the leadership of President Bill Hardgrave and driven by the Ascend strategic plan, the UofM has more than doubled research awards in the last two fiscal years – from $48 million in FY22 to $101 million in FY24. This exponential growth rate is thanks to the University’s role not only as an innovation ecosystem engine for the region but also its ability to execute federal and state programs in a compliant, fiscally responsible and timely way.  

“We are proud of our faculty researchers who continue working hard to win nationally competitive research awards with their cutting-edge ideas especially from the federal research agencies,” said Hardgrave.  

The University’s award total is comprised of more than 75% from federal agency sources.  

In addition to the $101 million achievement milestone, other key areas show record growth. A record 14 unique federal agencies contributed more than $1 million to the research efforts across campus, showcasing the breadth of the work done by UofM faculty. From creating healthcare workforce pipelines through the engineering of new sensor-based technologies, developing novel artificial intelligence solutions, pioneering next generation supply chains and helping create growth for rural communities, the University of Memphis is doing research that is contextualized to industry priorities and societal needs for people across Memphis and the wider Delta region.  

At an individual level, the University has also increased the number of research leaders across  campus, with nearly 40 researchers securing $500K or more in awards in a single year. The average award size has more than tripled in the last five years.   

Other key highlights showing the growth over the last six years:  

 *Denotes record-breaking numbers for FY24.

This success would not have been possible without the wider network of partners, community organizations, state and federal partners and an ecosystem of stakeholders seeking to make Memphis and the region thrive. The University of Memphis is a Carnegie R1 Flagship research institution in Tennessee, and growth at the University is integral to growth across the state.  

To learn more about this achievement and the research activities at the University, contact Mary Ann Dawson at the Division of Research & Innovation.  

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Jennifer Godwin 
Director of Media and Public Relations 
jennifer.godwin@memphis.edu 
(O) 901.678.4822 (M) 501.529.7482 

Mary Ann Dawson 
Director of Operations & Technology Initiatives 
Division of Research & Innovation 
mdawson@memphis.edu 
(O) 901.678.1592